BEVs produce zero direct tailpipe emissions — there is no exhaust pipe. However, the electricity used to charge them may be generated from fossil fuels depending on your local grid mix.
The U.S. grid is a blend of coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydro, wind, and solar. Even in regions with a high proportion of coal-generated electricity, BEVs typically produce lower total emissions than gasoline vehicles. In regions with cleaner grids (California, the Pacific Northwest, much of New England), the emissions advantage of EVs is substantially larger.
Charging with home solar panels can bring an EV’s operational carbon footprint close to zero.